Hestiana Dharmastuti/FW & HY, Jakarta – The People's Democratic Party (PRD) says the arrest of former minister of mines and energy, Ginandjar Kartasasmita for fraud by the Attorney General office, was seen as a means to threaten the Golkar party and political concession of the erratic President Abdurrahman 'Gus Dur' Wahid. The fact is not all corrupters from the old New Order era have been brought before a tribunal, in fact some have been given protection.

"Ginandjar's arrest was nothing more than an effort to threaten Golkar, to make them willing to compromise to settle the political crisis within the elite ruling level, not to finalise a reform agenda" Budiman Sudjatmiko, chairman of PRD told journalists at the PRD office, Jl.Tebet Barat Dalam no.8, South Jakarta, Tuesday.

Budiman suggested, it is a threat to Gus Dur's political enemies to end their political manoeuvring and get and back to the negotiation table.

"If Ginandjar was the only one arrested, it proves it to be nothing more than political bluff. If Gus Dur arrested other New Order conies such as Habibie, Baramuli and Harmoko [former minister of information] who only seek their own safety," said Budiman.

Nonetheless, PRD considers there is nothing wrong with the political compromise and the party respects the arrest. However, said Budiman, the compromise has made a legal case turn into political case and power sharing issues.

"Therefore, the Gus Dur-Mega administration should be bold and clean the executive and judicative bodies, bureaucracy and state-owned companies from Golkar people," said Budiman whose parties has been a staunch opponent to Golkar, the former ruling party during Suharto's iron fisted rule.

Budiman also advises that all laws from the New Order should be changed, while at the same time proposes the establishment of a people's court from regional to central government.